Focus on: Malden Chamber of Commerce Health Care
Now, more than ever, we appreciate those in our community who offer health care services. In this Focus On column, we feature our members who were in the forefront of the health crisis posed by COVID-19. The Chamber salutes and thanks those of our members who care for the sick, the elderly and the housebound, who provided medical care, testing and comfort. Below you will read of the many challenges faced by organizations including
Cambridge Health Alliance
,
MelroseWakefield Healthcare
,
Home Instead Senior Care
,
Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.,
Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Center
,
and
AFC Urgent Care Malden
.
In each organization’s story, you will read of courage, change, and care.
Like all businesses, healthcare had to adapt to respond to the pandemic. In both large and small ways, healthcare had to change to not only adapt to the business challenges, but, most importantly, to save the lives of their patients while protecting the communities they serve. Cambridge Health Alliance “had to reconfigure our model of care to support the day-to-day needs of our patients while simultaneously preparing to treat COVID-19, a disease that requires a higher level of acuity than is normal for us. We deployed 250 staff members to support an ambitious acute/critical care surge plan, and we increased ICU capacity by 170 percent.” AFC Urgent Care, a primarily walk in business, said “we had to basically restructure our whole business model and transition from a walk in center to a visits by appointment only medical practice, in order to screen all patients appropriately and keep our staff safe.” Clearly the care of patients and the safety of staff is the top priority for all these businesses.
When asked what surprised them about the last six months, all the members shared a common theme: the energy and commitment of their staffs, and the support of the communities served. Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Center said the most surprising thing was “the level of resilience of my team of therapists and patent representatives! Everyone worked hard to chip in to help where needed and was vigilant about with all safety standards. We worked very hard as a team and everyone pulled their weight.” Community support also sustained our healthcare workers. Cataldo Ambulance noted that “the big surprise was the amazing outpouring of support from local businesses in providing meals and sustenance as our crews worked tirelessly through long shifts.”
All of these members face the reality that their businesses have changed and they are now operating under the “new normal.” Home Instead Senior Care tells us that “realistically, until there is a vaccine, the virus will continue to spread. We need constant attention and need to do everything we can to prevent transmission. We have installed a home care tablet with all of our clients so we can communicate virtually with them and our caregivers. This helps in decreasing the social isolation older adults are experiencing.” MelroseWakefield Healthcare underscored the need to change, keeping in mind the clear mission our healthcare providers. “Our organization came together and mobilized resources to facilitate the care and safety of our patients and staff. Much of what occurred developed daily, sometimes hourly to which we needed to respond immediately. We continue to closely monitor all resources to safely care for our patients and support our staff. Safety is absolutely our top priority.”
We applaud the Malden Chamber of Commerce members who care for us.
The August Focus On will feature our members who are educators and September’s newsletter will highlight Malden Chamber of Commerce’s manufacturers.
